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What is hyperlipidemia or high-cholesterol?Cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids. When the concentration of triglycerides or cholesterol in your blood is too high, it is called hyperlipidaemia. Having a lipid level that is too high increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. A healthy diet and medicines can help lower you cholesterol.There are 2 types of cholesterol:LDL cholesterol. This is often referred to as bad cholesterol, as it is the one mainly involved in forming atheroma. Atheroma is the main underlying cause of various cardiovascular diseases. Usually about 70% of cholesterol in the blood is LDL cholesterol, but the percentage can vary from person to person.

HDL cholesterol. This is often referred to as good cholesterol, as it may actually prevent atheroma formation. So you should aim for high HDL cholesterol and low LDL cholesterol in your body. Why do I have hyperlipidaemia?Hyperlipidaemia is often found when people are overweight or have an unhealthy diet. It can also be the result of drinking too much alcohol.It can be something that you may have inherited through your family genes and approximately 1 person in 500 will have this cause.It may be because of another medical condition that you may have, such as diabetes.

There are usually no symptoms of high cholesterol unless it stays undetected for long time. But if you have high cholesterol and other disease risk factors, there can be serious health complications....more

High cholesterol is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, which can include

Coronary heart disease

Stroke

Peripheral vascular disease of legs and arms.

Diabetes

High blood pressure.

To prevent or manage these conditions, take steps to lower your total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol if they are elevated.

Cholesterol levels should be measured at least once every five years in everyone over age 20. The screening test that is usually performed is a blood test called a lipid profile. Experts recommend that men ages 35 and older and women ages 45 and older be more frequently (once every year) screened for lipid disorders. The lipoprotein profile includes:

For the health of your heart, any type of exercise is better than none, but aerobic fitness has the most benefits.

Aerobic activity is exercise that causes your body to use oxygen in order to burn fat for energy. Typically, this requires activity that is sustained over a period of time and that uses the large muscles of your arms and legs. This type of exercise makes your heart work harder. Over time, it strengthens and conditions your heart.What Should I Know About Aerobic Exercise?Aerobic exercises should be done at least 30 min daily. Some examples of aerobic activities include the following:

walking

jogging

jumping rope

cycling

swimming

rowing

cross-country skiing

dancing

tennis

What Should I Know About Strength Training?Strength training has these benefits.

Use a squeeze of lemon instead of dressing on salads. Or try rice vinegar or balsamic vinegar.

Diet tipsAdd more soluble fiber (found in cereal grains, beans, peas, and many fruits and vegetables) to boost your LDL-lowering power. The best way to know what's in the foods you eat is to read the nutrition label.